Middle East & North Africa

Israel: 7 million demonstrated against judicial overhaul: Police chief

04 September 2023; MEMO: Nearly seven million Israelis have demonstrated against government plans for judicial overhaul since January, according to the Police Commissioner on Monday, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Israeli protesters have “gathered at 4,400 locations across the country,” Kobi Shabtai said in statements during an event at the Israeli Bar Association as cited by Haaretz newspaper.

Israel students refuse to serve in military under 'fascist' government

04 September 2023; MEMO: A group of over 200 Israeli students have announced their refusal to be drafted into the army, citing the rise of “fascism “and dictatorship under the new far-right government.

In a letter displayed at a protest in Tel Aviv, the students said they “will not draft until democracy is guaranteed to everyone who lives under Israeli rule.” 

Saudi Arabia, Italy sign MoU to boost relations

04 September 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia and Italy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost economic relations and strategically important investments, in the latest development between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters at the Investment Forum between Italy and Saudi Arabia in Milan today, Italian Industry Minister, Adolfo Urso, was quoted by Reuters as stating that “Dialogue can help companies develop a technological and industrial partnership”.

Saudi Arabia: Israel weightlifting delegation arrives in Riyadh

05 September 2023; MEMO: An Israeli sports delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia yesterday to participate in the world weightlifting competition, Israeli media reported.

“For the first time, an Israeli delegation of weightlifters will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the World Weightlifting Championships (WWC) which began on Sunday,” Israel24 said.

Judicial reforms will lead Israel soldiers to be sued in int’l courts

05 September 2023; MEMO: Israeli Military Prosecutor Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi yesterday warned that aspects of the proposed judicial reform plan will put Israeli troops in danger of being prosecuted abroad in international courts.

This came, Israeli media said, during a speech at a conference of Israel’s Bar Association in Tel Aviv, noting that the remarks were considered as criticism against the government’s judicial plan.

Explosion At Gas Station Rocked Yemen’s Capital

SANAA, Sept 4 (NNN-SABA) – A massive explosion rocked a gas station, in the Houthi-controlled Yemen’s capital of Sanaa last night, igniting a significant fire, reported by authorities and witnesses.

The blast occurred at the Mufazer gas station, which is situated in front of the al-Khurafi military camp, in the north-eastern part of the capital. Houthi forces cordoned off the area, with civil defence teams swiftly responding to the incident.

Iranian, Turkish FMs Met To Discuss Bilateral Ties, Economic Cooperation

TEHRAN, Sept 4 (NNN-IRNA) – Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with visiting Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan yesterday, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation and the implementation of bilateral agreements.

At a joint press conference, Amir-Abdollahian said, the two countries set an annual trade volume target of 30 billion euros (32.33 billion U.S. dollars), and are halfway to achieving the goal.

U.S. Aircraft Warned Off Iran’s Airspace Several Times In Two Years: Commander

TEHRAN, Sept 4 (NNN-IRNA) – A senior military commander said, Iran used its homegrown Karrar interceptor drone, to warn U.S. aircraft off the country’s airspace, on a number of occasions over the past two years.

In an interview with Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, which was published yesterday, Alireza Elhami, deputy commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defence Force, made the remarks while commenting on the air force’s drone and defence capabilities.

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